The Proper Topper

Not talking about hats here, dear readers, but rather the perfect top for the holidays. You know, that great piece that you can wear from party to party without worrying about fit or comfort. The one that you’ll go to again and again to pair with pants and skirts of various colors and styles. Well lucky for you, the DCGF has two such gems for this week’s Goodwill Good Buy of the Week.

First up is a black fitted blouse from Valentino Boutique. It’s in a stiff satin fabric with contrasting ivory plastic multi-faceted buttons and three-quarter length sleeves. It’s fully lined and the seaming creates a narrow waist with a fun flare above the hips. The blouse has a flattering portrait neckline, suitable for showing off a great necklace or earrings. The lightly padded shoulder give structure but don’t overwhelm the silhouette. In short, this might be one of the most beautiful pieces I’ve ever featured on the blog; it’s hard to capture just how great it is in pictures.

The jacket is lightly worn and in a size 12, but remember: it’s Italian, so it’s closer to a US10. Full measurements will be on the DC Goodwill eBay Store later today. Since the jacket has a slight sheen to it, I’ve paired it with a slightly shiny pair of stretch trousers by Alice + Olivia, in a size 8. The pants features front and back patch pockets and a boot cut trouser. Their neutral khaki color would look equally great with a white shirt and denim jacket, too.

The next look adds a splash of color in the form of an ultra flattering wrap shirt from Diane von Furstenberg. In turquoise silk with a touch of stretch, this might be the second best thing I’ve ever had on the blog. It features a standing collar neckline, with a v-neck that will plunge as far as you choose. The ties around the waist are long enough to wrap a couple of times, creating a self-fabric belt that can be loosened after dinner, if needs be. Ha.

The shirt hits right at the hips, so no worrying about annoying gaps between top and bottom. The sleeves are full length and the cuffs have elasticized ruching that echoes the pattern on the collar. This jewel tone piece will last for years to come. You know that Diane’s pieces are destined to become classics!

Since this tops is a bit busier than the Valentino, I’ve paired it with simple straight-cut black velvet trousers from Dana Buchman. Did you know that her items are now going to be sold exclusively at Kohl’s as Dana Buchman Vision? Crazy, right? Well, these are from her original, high-end collection and are in a size 8. These will be very useful all throughout the holidays, as their simple styling makes them a go-to piece for pairing with all kinds of sweaters, blouses, and blazers.

What I really like about both of these pieces is their details, especially at the cuffs. As you can see in the close-up pic at right, you won’t even need any jewelry, the garments are already so elegantly embellished.

This time of year is perhaps my favorite for getting dressed, and whether you celebrate a certain holiday or not, it’s fun to play with texture and fabric, as these two ensembles show. Don’t be afraid to mix silk and velvet, or two different types of satins. Have fun with your wardrobe and layer to your heart’s content. You look good!